Counselling for Comorbid Conditions

What is Comorbidity?

Comorbidities, also referred to as dual diagnosis or co-occurring conditions, describe the experience of living with two or more health or mental-health conditions at the same time. The medical term “morbidity” means the presence of illness or a health condition, and the prefix “co-” indicates that multiple conditions are occurring together. Comorbidity is common in mental-health care and may involve a medical or neurodevelopmental diagnosis occurring alongside a mental-health condition, or multiple mental-health diagnoses being identified together or over time.

Dual diagnosis counselling for adults through neurodivergent-affirming therapy in Canada

Examples of Mental Health Comorbidities

  • ADHD and Autism

  • ADHD and Tourette syndrome or chronic tic patterns

  • ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

  • ADHD and substance use disorder

  • ADHD and anxiety disorders

  • Autism and sensory-processing differences

  • Autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

  • Autism and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

  • Social anxiety and substance use disorder

  • Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Mental Health and Physical Health Comorbidities

Mental health experiences and physical health conditions often intersect and influence one another. Examples of mental health and physical health comorbidities include:

  • ADHD and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

  • Autism and fibromyalgia

  • Autism and dysautonomia

  • Hypermobility spectrum conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) co-occurring with neurodivergence

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) or digestive conditions co-occurring with neurodivergence

  • Mast Cell Activation Syndromes (MCAS) alongside neurodivergence

  • Chronic pain conditions or migraines co-occurring with neurodivergence

Symbolic image representing mental and physical health comorbidities and integrated counselling support